Creative ZiiO 7 and ZiiO 10 Android Tablets

Creative introduces the ZiiO 7 and ZiiO 10 “Pure Wireless Entertainment Tablets”. Both devices run Android 2.1 OS and are powered by Creative’s own ZiiLABS ZMS-08 HD Media-Rich Applications Processor, which is based on 1GHz ARM Cortex A8. They are available in 8GB and 16GB models.

The ZiiO 7 comes with a 7-inch 480×800 touchscreen while the ZiiO 10 has a larger 10.1-inch 1024×600 touchscreen. These Android tablets include X-Fi Audio Enhancements, including X-Fi Crystalizer, X-Fi Expand, to deliver high-quality sound. They both support Bluetooth 2.1EDR and WiFi 802.11b/g connectivity and pack built-in microphone and speaker, VGA front-facing camera, accelerometer, microSD memory card slot and HDMI output. As entertainment tablet, the ZiiOs support MP3, AAC, WMA9, FLAC, OGG, ADPCM, MIDI, WAV, Audible Format 4 audio and H.264, MPEG4, WMV9, MJPEG, MOV, AVI, MKV video files.

The prices are GBP199.99 for 8GB ZiiO 7, GBP219.99 for 16GB ZiiO7, GBP249.99 for 8GB ZiiO 10 and GBP269.99 for 16GB ZiiO 10.

Creative Launches Zen Touch 2 PMP with GPS

Alongside of the launch of the Ziio tablets, Creative also debuted a small personal media player by the name of the Zen Touch 2, which also runs on the Android operating system. Seen as a rival to the Samsung Galaxy Player, the Zen Touch 2 features a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 2-megapixel rear camera, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, 8 GB or 16 GB built-in storage, micro SDHC support, RCA out, and GPS capabilities as a premium. The GPS functionality is rare on a standalone MP3 player sans phone functionality as this inclusion will help the Zen Touch 2 serve as a navigation unit in addition to music play back. Because it lacks constant Internet connection--unless you're powering it with a MiFi unit or travel in heavily blanketed WiFi zones--you'll probably need a standalone GPS navigation program with locally stored maps on a memory card, like the recently released Navigon for Android or CoPilot.

The Zen Touch 2 will initially be released in Singapore. The 8 GB model will cost $217 and 16 GB will go for $248. GPS will only be available in 8 GB capacity, and that model will go for $232. An international launch will follow soon.

In addition to the Zen Touch 2, Creative is also releasing Bluetooth streaming headphones. The WP-300 supports the apt-X format for lossless Bluetooth audio, can charge from USB, and is expected to go on sale for $116 per pair.